ECUADOR.Ek-wa-dōr´.
A republic of South America, constituted 1830; situated on the equator, from which it takes its name. Extremely mountainous; traversed from north to south by three ranges of the Andes. Most lofty peaks: Cotopaxi, 18,880 feet; Chimborazo, 21,424; Cayambe, 19,831. Climate, on the coast, hot; on the high table lands, cold and bleak; valleys are free from extremes of temperature. Area, 248,370 square miles. Population, 946,033. Quito, the capital, has 80,000 inhabitants; Guayaquil, the principal seaport, 26,000. Quito is the highest inhabited city, being 9,500 feet above sea-level.
Ecuador was formed from the American Free State, founded by Simon Bolivar. Executive power rests with a President, elected for 4 years; legislative, with a Congress of two houses. President and Vice-President are nominated by 900 chosen electors. Vice-president is President of the Council of State. Hereditary rights or privileges prohibited by law. Belief in the Roman Catholic church, qualification for suffrage.
The soil of Ecuador will grow the products of every zone. There is a copious growth of the cinchona tree, sarsaparilla, vanilla, copaiba, balsam of Tolu, etc. Many fibrous plants, suitable for the manufacture of paper and cordage, are found in profusion. The immense mineral wealth is untouched; agriculture is neglected; manufactures are insignificant. The roads afford no facilities for commerce, being mostly mule tracks. Miles of railway number but 75.
Export of cocoa, 1883 valued at $3,372,200; India rubber, $428,800. Total value of exports, $4,923,300; imports, about $6,000,000. In 1883, 151 vessels, of 155,283 tons, entered, and 160 vessels, of 158,970 tons, cleared the port of Guayaquil.
Only 7.5 per cent. of population can read or write. In 1884, standing army fixed at 1,600 men.
PERU.Pe-roo´.
A republic of South America. Area, previous to the war with Chili, 503,718 square miles. Population, 2,699,945. Since the war about 70,000 square miles of Peruvian territory are occupied by Chili. Traversed by two systems of the Andes Mountains; highest point is the volcano of Misti, 20,300 feet above sea-level. Temperature at Callao about 60°; Lima about 70°.
Independence declared in 1821. The government is administered by the President, Senate and House of Representatives. The Peruvian constitution is planned after that of the United States. Lima, the capital, has a population of about 100,000.